Modelling crop:weed interactions in wheat with ALMANAC

ALMANAC is a dynamic model for plant growth, water balance and soil nitrogen dynamics that can simulate on a daily basis two or more competing species. The simulation of competition for light is based on Beer's law, allowing a different extinction coefficient ( k ) for each species. Light is partitioned between species based on k -values, leaf area index and plant heights. Total hiomass is simulated with radiation use efficiency and grain yield with a harvest index approach, sensitive to water stress. The model simulates competition for water and nutrients based on each species current rooting zone and demand by each species. The effect of crop management on the competition issue can he simulated. The model was evaluated in Dijon (France) using 4 years of experimental data on wheat:oat mixtures, differing in oat ( Avena sativa L.) densities, the period of oat emergence, the date of weed suppression by herbicides and the wheat ( Triticun aestivum L.) genotype. Additional data on oilseed rape ( Brassica nupus L.) and vetch ( Vilcia sauiva L.) competition in spring wheat were also used. The wheat grain yield was reasonably simulated with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.10-0.35 t ha^-1. Corresponding values for oats were 0.10-0.55 t ha^-1. The competitiveness of oats, oilseed rape and vetch was correctly simulated. The model appears as a reasonable tool for estimating damage thresholds in integrated weed control programmes.     

The egg parasitoids ofThaumetopoea pityocampa in the atlas Mountains near Marrakech (Morocco)

Studies were performed on 25 egg batches ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) collected onPinus pinaster Ait. on 29. XI. 1995, in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco near Marrakech at 1400-1800 m above sea level. All the egg masses had been deposited in the autumn of 1995 and were exposed to the parasitoids throughout the developmental period of the host. In 1996, the egg batches, kept singly in test tubes, were observed almost daily. Emerged parasitoids were recorded and separated. The final analyses were made in November 1996 based on the meconia and remains of the emerged or the dead parasitoids in the eggs. In all cases, oviposition occurred from the base to the tip of the needles, distances varying up to 62 mm from the base. The mean number of eggs per batch was 175 (range 34-245), the number of egg-rows varied between 6 and 11, and a 1-cm egg-row contained a mean of 9 eggs. Caterpillars hatched from 72. 7% of the eggs; total mortality of the eggs was thus 27. 3%. The impact of egg parasitoids was 21. 4%. Most of the parasitized eggs were attacked byBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) followed byOoencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet). Males (1. 5%) were found only in B. servadeii. The emergence rate ofO. pityocampae was much higher in the year of host oviposition than in the following year. B. servadeii emerged in equal numbers before and after hibernation, and in the subsequent year in equal numbers in spring and autumn. The high rate of emergence ofB. servadeii in April-May is discussed in relation to the embryonic development ofThaumetopoea bonjeani (Powel) until the end of winter, as an alternative host ofB. servadeii in the Atlas region.     

Comparison of two sampling methods for leafhoppers (Homoptera, Cicadellidae) associated with sesame in the east Mediterranean region of Turkey

Yellow sticky-traps and a modified Johnson-Taylor suction-trap were used to index the relative population dynamic of leafhoppers associated with sesame in the east Mediterranean region of Turkey. Comparison of the obtained results signified important differences between both traps. 32 leafhoppers species were caught in the suction-trap while only 18 species were determined on yellow sticky-traps. For most of the leafhopper species, relatively more males were determined on the yellow-traps than in the suction-trap, indicating a higher activity of male leafhoppers during daytime hours. A close relationship between the seasonal flight pattern as indexed by sticky-traps and by suction-trap was only observed forAsymmetrasca decedens (Paoli) andEmpoasca decipiens Paoli. For most other leafhopper species no or only a very poor correlation for the relative population dynamic was determined between both traps. Important leafhopper vector species, e.g.,Circulifer haematoceps (Mulsant et Rey) andOrosius orientalis (Matsumura) were better represented in yellow sticky-trap catches than they were in the suction trap.

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Zusammenfassung  Die relative Populationsdynamik der mit Sesam assozüerten Zwergzikaden wurde mit beleimten Gelbtafeln und einer stationären Johnson-Taylor-Saugfalle an der südöstlichen Mittelmeerküste der Türkei untersucht. Beim Vergleich beider Methoden zeigten sich deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Fallentypen. In der Saugfalle konnten 32 Zwergzikadenarten erfaßt werden, während dies auf den Gelbtafeln nur 18 Arten waren. Die meisten Zwergzikadenarten zeigten auf den Gelbtafeln ein stark in Richtung der Männchen verschobenes Geschlechterverhältnis, was eine erhöhte Flugaktivität der Männchen während des Tageslichts vermuten läßt. Auch der Verlauf der saisonalen Flugaktivität war für die meisten Zwergzikadenarten zwischen den beiden Fallentypen sehr unterschiedlich, und es konnten zwischen Saug- und Gelbfalle keine deutlichen Korrelationen hergestellt werden. Nur für die beiden zusammen erfaßten ArtenAsymmetrasca decedens (Paoli) undEmpoasca decipiens Paoli wurde ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen der mit der Saugfalle und den gelben Leimtafeln erfaßten relativen Populationsdynamik festgestellt. Wichtige Vektorenarten unter den Zwergzikaden, z. B.Circulifer haematoceps (Mulsant et Rey) undOrosius orientalis (Matsumura) waren auf den Gelbtafeln besser repräsentiert als in der Saugfalle.

     

菜豆萎蔫病菌的血清检测鉴定技术研究

本研究对我国一类检疫性有害生物菜豆萎蔫病菌（Ｃｕｒｔｏｂａｃｔｅｒｉｕｍｆｌａｃｕｍｆａ－ｃｉｅｎｓｐｖ．ｆｌａｃｕｍｆａｃｉｅｎｓ，Ｃｆ）进行血清检测鉴定技术的研究。试验中制备了抗Ｃｆ的血清，应用抗００２０，０２３７，０２３８菌株的抗血清及其ＦＩＴＣ标记的抗体进行间接和直接免疫荧光染色试验（ＩＦ／ＩＦ）。通过对１９个Ｃｆ菌株和其它６个属１４个种的植物病原细菌２０个菌株的测定，结果发现约５０％的Ｃｆ菌株为强阳性反应，且与Ｃｆ种下致病变种也有强阳性交叉反应。由于单个血清检测易产生假阴性反应，故将三种血清１∶１∶１混合后进行ＩＦ试验，结果表明与所有的Ｃｆ菌株反应，且与Ｒｆａ和Ｃｍｔ有弱阳性反应。对含１０４～１０７ｃｆｕ／ｍｌ细菌及３０ｇ种子含１粒人工接种种子的种子抽提液均能检测到典型的阳性细胞，血清检测的灵敏度为４．５×１０４ｃｆｕ／ｍｌ，可用于种子的检测。本研究还进行了初步的免疫荧光菌落染色（ＩＦＣ）试验     

Abscisic acid is a potent inhibitor of growth and sporidial formation inneovossia indica cultures: Dual mode of actionvia loss of polyamines and cellular turgidity

The inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis inNeovossia indica (Mitra) Mundkur by D,L— α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) caused an effective reduction of mycelial growth and sporidial production underin vitro conditions, which was reversed by ornithine application. Abscisic acid proved to be similarly effective, not only in inhibiting mycelial growth and sporidial formation but also the germination of teliospores, which constitute the primary inoculum of the pathogen. ABA-mediated inhibition resulted in decreased polyamine levels and loss of cellular turgidity of mycelial cultures. Scanning electron microscopy of ABA-treated cultures revealed extremely shrunken hyphae, in marked contrast to the turgid controls. It is suggested that the manipulation of ABA levels and/or tissue sensitivity in wheat could be a strategy to combat ‘Karnal’ bunt, the disease caused byN. indica.     

Effects of the host, the pathogen, the environment and their interactions, on fusarium wilt in carnation

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.dianthi causes severe wilting in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) worldwide. The pathogen is present in the soil profile in which carnation roots are distributed and may infect the plants at any time during the growing season. To minimize the losses induced by Fusarium wilt, growers use carnation cuttings free ofFusarium spp. and fumigate the soil with methyl bromide prior to planting. The severity of epidemics and the resulting losses are governed by the main and interacting effects of the three components of the disease syndrome: the host, the pathogen and the environment. Host variables include the type and the degree of cultivar resistance (i.e., complete, partial or tolerance); pathogen variables include the race, its virulence and infectivity, and the amount of initial inoculum; environmental variables include solar radiation intensity, photoperiod, temperature and the growth substrate. In the present review the information available on the effect of the host, the pathogen and the environment, and their interactions, on Fusarium wilt in carnation is summarized.     

猪附红细胞体病的诊断和防治

近年我县发生了一种类似猪瘟症状的疾病 ,表现为高热、嗜睡、全身发红等 ,导致猪群 (特别是仔猪 )大批死亡。经采用注射青霉素、链霉素、磺胺类药、退烧解毒药等治疗 ,效果不理想。特别是在使用磺胺类药物后 ,会加重病情。该病在我县呈蔓延趋势 ,给广大养殖户造成了很大的经济损失。后与省畜牧研究所联合研究 ,根据临床症状、病理剖检、实验室检查等 ,确诊为猪附红细胞体病。经对症下药 ,很快控制了该病的流行和蔓延 ,确保养殖业的健康稳定发展。1流行病学特点本病一年四季均可发生 ,但以夏秋多发。蚊等吸血节肢昆虫可传播该病 ,各种年龄、…